Now that you’re aware of the release date of the book, are
you nervous? What exactly are anticipating and/or dreading about it the most?
It’s freakin
amazing! I can’t wait to share Josh & Sophie’s love story with the world. I
think I’m more excited than nervous, it’s a strange mixture of a million
feelings that’s hard to put into words.
Talk us through the process of finding an editor and getting
Hurricane Butterfly ready- was it
smooth for you, or did at times you think of just giving up? (And if so, what
made you persevere?)
Finding an
editor was easy. I contacted one of my favourite author’s editors and she
accepted. I thought it would be hard...maybe I was just lucky.
What was the inspiration behind your book?
I have always
been a firm believer that beauty is more than skin deep. I think there’s too
many girls/women out there today who think that they need to have the perfect
body, etc. for someone to fall in love with them. This story is about two
people, each with their own flaws and insecurities who fall in love with each
other’s’ imperfections’.
You were very excited about the cover reveal; how did it
(the cover design) come about? Is it all you were hoping for or more? What was
your reaction to it, and how well do you think it was received? (You can view the cover here.)
I knew exactly
what I wanted. I don’t like surprises so I was very hands on when it came to
designing the cover. I wanted the hurricane to portray Josh and the off course
the butterfly is Sophie. The tagline on the cover are also in the book. I am
extremely happy with the end product!
How has your life – your friends, family, the places you’ve
lived – influenced Hurricane Butterfly?
My family moved
from South Africa to New Zealand in 2006. We live in the countryside where the
birds wake you in the mornings, and at night the stars are so bright it feels
like you can pluck them from the sky. These things are like mind fertilizer for
new story seeds to grow!
Did you ever experience any bouts of that dreaded writer’s
block?
Never have and
hope I never do. I have the opposite. My mind never stops, it’s like a fountain
of stories bubbling up all the time!
Can you share with us any future plans for your writing
career?
I am currently
working on my second novel. It’s been a WIP since 2013.
It’s a much
bigger project than Hurricane Butterfly and I’m very excited, and nervous about
it!
And finally... Do you have any words of advice or
encouragement for aspiring authors?
I
remember when I wanted to write my first novel in English. My first language is
Afrikaans/Dutch, and I’ve been writing stories in Afrikaans since I was a
little girl. I’ve always wanted to write a love story in English but I just
couldn’t find the right words to express what I wanted to say. I kept at it and
then came the moment when I knew it was time to let someone else read my work,
and that was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done. The reaction was better
than what I expected. It gave me the confidence to carry on. I don’t feel near
good enough, but I’m a work in progress :)
Wow! How extraordinary to be able to publish in a language that isn't even native. Thanks so much, Mechelle, for taking part! I'm looking forward for Hurricane Butterfly to be published, (expected late November), and I suggest you all should too!
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